Only women bleed?

August 7, 2017

The act of menstruation is still very much viewed as a shared experience among women. It’s spoken about as ‘the woman’s curse’. However, what does this type of language mean for transgender individuals and how do they identify with this ‘female’ act? After all, many trans men menstruate and many trans women do not.

According to Louie Stafford, Trans Programme Co­ordinator at theLGBT Foundationin Manchester, these individuals are all too often made to feel ‘othered’ as a result. For many transgender men and other non-binary individuals (people who don’t fit within the binary of male and female), their menstruation can feel like a source of shame and make them feel further alienated from their bodies. Stafford has extensive experience working within the trans community, particularly in the field of youth work. ‘Puberty can be an especially difficult time,’ he explains. ‘For someone experiencing gender dysphoria this may further cement the idea that they’re growing up into the wrong body, which can be very distressing.’ A first period, perhaps more so than any other aspect of female puberty, is viewed to be a rite of passage and indeed ‘becoming a woman’, whether you like it or not.

Sanitary products: flowery & feminine

Often a trans man will continue to menstruate, even after they choose to transition. The lack of gender neutral sanitary products can then prove to be a problem. Menstrual health aisles more often than not look as flowery and feminine as a field of fresh daisies. Adverts promoting sanitary products more or less always depict cis women (naturally-born women whose psychological gender identity is also female). This is of course understandable in marketing terms due to the core demographic of their buyers. However, the diversity of those who use sanitary products isn’t yet being fully represented. That’s why Thinx, an American company that designs underwear for women, is now offering a line of gender-neutral shorts for trans men who menstruate.

For trans women, menstruation can be an even more complicated topic. A trans woman can be made to feel alienated for not menstruating, as if this somehow prevents her from identifying as a ‘real’ woman. There are still a number of people who believe that womanhood is something which is assigned to you at birth and recognisable through a fixed set of biological processes. This can lead to transgender women feeling uncomfortable or even alienated when conversing in female only spaces. After all, with menstruation affecting the large majority of women, it will inevitably crop up in conversation. No doubt many trans women are relieved to avoid the monthly discomfort, cramping and irritability. However, as a cultural symbol of femininity, menstruation is more or less universal.

Transgender tampon?

This is smartly illustrated by a prank which fooled many. United Media Publishing ran a story about a new transgender tampon that would allow transgender women to enjoy the ‘beautiful and womanly occurrence of menstruation’. The language used here is satirical. However, society’s definition of what it means to be a woman is still disappointingly narrow; it usually boils down to rigid biological, and largely reproductive, traits. Although for many women menstruation is an important part of womanhood, this experience varies from woman to woman.

According to Stafford: ‘It is important not to make periods a defining factor of womanhood.’ Using transgender positive language when discussing menstruation is actually incredibly simple and something that we can all practise in our day-to-day lives. ‘This is not about watering down the message; it’s about being more inclusive,’ he explains. ‘As a society we need to make sure that trans voices are heard within period positive discussions. As individuals, we need to be mindful of how the language we use has the ability to exclude or include others and to understand the significance of the words that we use.’

2 Responses to “Only women bleed?”

“… society’s definition of what it means to be a woman is still disappointingly narrow; it usually boils down to rigid biological, and largely reproductive, traits.”.

What else does woman mean but being an adult female? Wearing dresses and heels? Being emotional and sensitive? Periods are a typical part of being female. Stop erasing female biology and experience. It’s offensive.

Hi Leah,
I guess you won’t read my answer, because its over 2 years later now… but still I feel the need to give an answer to your post.
I understand what you are saying. I understand that your experience in and with a body, that you define as female, is what makes you define as a woman. For myself menstruating is a very important body experience (I define as female, but not because of the fact, that I am able to bleed).
I also subscribe, that it is crucial not to attribute certain styles and behaviours to one gender.

But honestly, what you are saying is so offensive and hurtful for a lot of people. There are so many beautiful women out there, who’s biology (like their “reproductve traits”) looks different from what you define as female. They might be trans*women, maybe intersex women who live and define themselves as female. There are just a lot of women who don’t fit in this biological category.
Also there are a lot assigned-female-at-birth-women (maybe with “reproductive traits” that look like what people call female), who never menstruated (maybe they were born without a uterus, have a hormonal system that does not make them bleed etc.).

All of them are not less female or aren’t less women!
That is why it is extremely important to point out that the definition of what it means to be a woman is still disappointingly narrow.
One’s gender definition should always just be due to their own decission and feeling.